MANKATO, Minn. --- #9 Minnesota State begins its NSIC schedule this weekend as it hosts Sioux Falls on Friday, at 5:30 p.m., and Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday, at 3:30 p.m., in Taylor Center.
  
Minnesota State History: The 2023-24 season marks the 102nd campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,420-945 (.600) in 2,365 games since the program's inception in the 1920-21 season. MSU capped its 33rd and final season as a member of the NCC in 2008 and owned a 283-267 (.515) record in 550 league games played. In the NSIC, MSU owns a 210-104 (.668) record to go with four regular-season championships and two tournament championships.

Against the Cougars: Friday's game between Minnesota State and Sioux Falls marks their 32nd meeting, with MSU leading the all-time series 23-8. The Mavericks won their most recent meeting against the Cougars as they posted a 73-42 win at Taylor Center last season.

Senior Malik Willingham notched 33 points for the Mavericks, while junior Kyreese Willingham tallied eight points and nine rebounds. Junior Harrison Braudis notched seven points and eight rebounds also.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 19-7 record against Sioux Falls, including an 11-3 record at Taylor Center.

Against the Mustangs: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Southwest Minnesota State marks their 70th all-time meeting, with MSU leading the series with a 48-21 record.

SMSU has won the last four meetings, including a 73-67 win at Taylor Center in their most recent encounter.

Junior Kyreese Willingham notched a double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds, while senior Malik Willingham tallied 15 points and six assists.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 27-15 record against Southwest Minnesota State, including a 13-7 record at Taylor Center.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 6-0 record, including wins against Waldorf (113-55) and Bethany Lutheran (97-63) in its most recent outings at home last weekend.

As a team, MSU is averaging 93.8 points and 46.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.5% from the field. The Mavericks have also passed out 110 assists and have forced 72 turnovers.

Senior Malik Willingham is averaging 18.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists a game this season. Junior Kyreese Willingham is posting 13.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game also, while graduate student Dylan Peeters has posted 11.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 23rd season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 459-209 (.687).

Concerning the Cougars: Sioux Falls enters the weekend the owner of a 3-3 record, including a 1-0 NSIC record. USF has won its last three games, including a pair of wins against Augustana (83-64) and Chadron State (84-72) last week.

As a unit, Sioux Falls is averaging 74.3 points and 36.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 43.8% from the field and 36.7% from three point range. The Cougars have passed out 89 assists, but have committed 81 turnovers.

Jack Thompson has tallied 13.8 points and 4.6 assists per game, while Creighton Morisch has notched 11.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Kenji Scales is averaging 10.8 points per game also.

Sioux Falls is coached by Chris Johnson who is in his 16th season with the Cougars. He owns a 281-202 (.581) record.
 
Concerning the Mustangs: Southwest Minnesota State enters the weekend the owner of a 3-2 record, including a 0-1 NSIC record. Last weekend, SMSU fell to Upper Iowa 85-83, before defeating Truman State 79-69.

As a team, SMSU is averaging 71.8 points and 34.8 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 44.9% from the field and 40.3% from three point range. The Mustangs have passed out 14.2 assists a game and have recorded 39 steals.

Cliff Cofield is averaging 14.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, while Jake Phipps has tallied 14.6 points and 8.4 rebounds a game. Aeron Stevens has notched 9.2 points and 3.8 rebounds a game also.

Southwest Minnesota State is coached by Brad Bigler, who is in his 15th season as head coach of the Mustangs. He owns a 224-179 (.555) record.